Instructional design/Color and Design/Combining Colors
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Combining Colors
Early scientists who studied color realized that the appearance of a color is relative to the other colors nearby. Color harmony is the act of combining colors according to their relationship to one another on the color wheel. |
Colors interact and fight for dominance. |
Complimentary ColorsContrast is essential to using color effectively and also for readability. Opposite colors on the wheel provide the greatest contrast and the power to intensify one another. Complimentary colors can be hard to balance (opposites attract but also repel) so use strategically and experiment with adjusting the brightness and saturation levels to achieve the desired effect. Areas of low contrast can appear flat but may be easier on the eye
Contrast for readability in text-backround combinationsContrasting colors are not necessarily great choices for reading text and backgrounds, unless one color is very pale and the other very dark. Black and white are a reliable combination though dark grey text on light backgrounds can work well too. How easy it is to read screen text depends on many factors with contrast very high on the list. Subtle, lighter backgrounds are less distracting and look more professional. Test your text by reading it and learn from more experienced designers. |
Analogous ColorsAnalogous color schemes include 3 colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Because they are from the same family and similar in hue they tend to get along.
Other RelationshipsTry these combinations too:
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"There are no bad colors just bad color combinations"
Anonymous
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